Baseball fan needs recs on Detroit...

I%26#39;m a 30-something baseball fan that is thinking about traveling to Detroit in June to see the Tigers.

From reading this site, it looks like the Hilton Garden Inn is the most convenient place to stay after a game.

Can you guys recommend any sports pubs within a safe walking distance of the HGI? I%26#39;m a buffalo wing and beer type guy, so the medium to high end type places are not really my style. I%26#39;d like something that is quintessential Detroit if that makes sense.

Also, do cabs hang out near the hotels or will I need to call one to return to the airport?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Baseball fan needs recs on Detroit...

SPORTS BARS. Cheli%26#39;s Chili Bar (owned by Chris Chelios of the Detroit Red Wings) and the Hockeytown Cafe. Both are within walking distance or the Hilton Garden Inn and both are opposite Comerica Park, both on different streets. Either--or both--would fit your criteria perfectly.

CABS. Detroit isn%26#39;t a big taxi city, but those that exist tend to cruise in the immediate downtown area during events, to hang out at taxi stands by the hotels or can easily be called. You shouldn%26#39;t have any problem for the return to the airport. If your flight leaves very early in the morning, it would be prudent to ask the hotel if there normally will be a taxi waiting outside or if it is better for them to call one for you to assure a timely pick-up.

Baseball fan needs recs on Detroit...

AUBeachPotato,

I actually just went to a game Friday night and stayed here. There is a sports bar right across the street from the hotel. Chelis and Hockeytown are right across the street from Comerica Park which is a block away from the hotel. These too places a fairly high priced on their drinks.

There will be cabs going down Gratiot but the front desk at this hotel will handle that for you if you want them to.

too=two

Thanks, Jamerican. Were you happy with the Hilton Garden Inn? Did you have any problems walking to and from the stadium? My primary concern is safety. I will be by myself, and I want to see the stadium area without having to worry about anything.

I wish there was someway I could get over to see old Tiger Stadium.

The area around the Hilton Garden, Comerica Park and the sports bars is safe and, on game day, will have lots of people around as well.

To see what is left of old Tiger Stadium, you could just take a taxi. You won%26#39;t likely be allowed inside, so ask the driver to do a loop around the outside of the stadium, perhaps stopping here and there for pics.

Personally I avoid the bars right around the stadium on game days. They are packed, and gouge on pricing with $5 cans of beer. HGI is a good location. The area is safe for walking, especially on game day.

Before the game, grab a cab (or take a long walk) over to Nemo%26#39;s on Michigan avenue. This is right by the old Tiger Stadium. Have a Nemo burger - one of the best in Detroit. Take a look at what is left of Tiger Stadium, then hop on the free shuttle back to Comerica Park.

After the game, head south on Brush street a few blocks and hit the Old Shillelagh Irish pub. Keep heading south another two blocks and Jacoby%26#39;s is a good German bar with a good beer selection.

Cut one block east (through the alley) over to the Detroiter on Beaubien where you will find another good burger/beer bar. Wander back north through Greektown and the casino. Detroit Beer Company is on Broadway, right around the corner from your hotel, if you like microbrews.

For more essential Detroit, get over to Lafayette Coney Island for a coney at some point. I also like Foran%26#39;s on Woodward (a bit of a walk) which has a great selection of Michigan microbrews.

Yes we were very happy with it. No we did not have any problems walking to the stadium. This area is the main tourist area of Detroit. FYI the bar across the street from the Hilton is a well kept secret. I%26#39;ve gone there a few times on game days. That is actually how I knew where the Hilton was. This bar%26#39;s prices are much more reasonable than the two main ones by the stadium (Hockeytown and Chelis). It is a short cab ride to see old Tiger Stadium.

Jamerica,

Don%26#39;t leave me hangin%26#39;. Give me a hint or two about the place near the HGI.

Thanks in advance.

I%26#39;m going to guess that Jamerican28 is referring to the Detroit Pub since it is the closest to the HGI. Personally I have found the service there to be bad to non-existent. We went in one time when they were dead and sat for 10 minutes without being served, and walked out. I even know a bartender that worked there after it reopened a year or two ago and quit because business was so bad.

It has probably been a year since I was in there, so things could have improved.

If you want cheap drinks in a dive type atmosphere, try the Well on Randolph.

AUBeachPotato,

It is right across the street on Gratiot and decorated with the old English D. I%26#39;d been there a few times before on game days. The service isn%26#39;t anything to write home about and we have never got anything to eat there. I usually sit at the bar so I guess I didn%26#39;t notice the service that much. I noticed the price was much better than Ole Shellaighs, Hockeytown, or Chelis. Since it is two blocks over from the stadium instead of right across the street or in Greektown the prices seem to be better. Stadium is 5 minute walk from there and the beers are 1/2 the price as the other bars I mentioned. Service really isn%26#39;t fantastic anywhere around the stadium on game days as they%26#39;re often swamped. As a matter of fact I had to get up from our table and grab drinks at the bar at Cheli%26#39;s last weekend. The best bar on game days is Mitch%26#39;s. You%26#39;ll must likely pass it coming in if you%26#39;re coming off 75 and then 10. It would be a short cab ride from the Hilton though.

skin cream